Spearfish’s Regional Airport
Photo Courtesy generalaviationnews.comSpearfish is currently awaiting approval by the FAA for the transfer of sponsorship of the Black Hills Airport (Clyde Ice Airfield) from Lawrence County to the municipality of Spearfish. This transfer creates a huge opportunity for economic development and is a significant opportunity to increase revenues for the city and the surrounding area.
KEY FACTS:
The City has not bought the airport. The airport must be operated by a governmental organization - it has been run by the county, but the request is being processed to transfer (give) the sponsorship to the City of Spearfish. This does not cost the City anything!
FAA sponsorship transfer request for the airport is still pending. City and County officials met with the FAA this week for an update, and the process is still on track!
When sponsorship transfer is approved, the FAA pays 90-95% of airport expansion projects - like a crosswind runway.
In anticipation of the transfer, the City purchased 165 acres that will allow for the expansion of the crosswind runway. The annual payment to the property owner is $186K - BUT REMEMBER - the FAA reimburses for part of this once the sponsorship transfers.
Page 99 of the City budget showcases a PROPOSED budget for the airport - based on numbers received from Lawrence County and Eagle Aviation - but, does not yet reflect the discretionary income the city will receive from the FAA once the sponsorship is transferred.
Financial Facts:
- Transfer of sponsorship does NOT cost Spearfish even $1!
- Historic operational cost - $40,000 per year (Subcontractor operating the facility).
- The airport receives $150,000 annually from the FAA for capital projects.
- The airport generates over $13 Million to the Spearfish area economy.
- The airport is responsible for $7 Million in direct visitor spending per year.
- The FAA funds 90-95% of large capital projects - the local sponsor only pays 5-10% of the cost!
Currently the airport is able to land a little over 60% of inbound flights due to the angle of the runway. When a flight is unable to land at the airport because of wind direction, they divert to other regional airports - taking their tax dollars and spending with them. The FAA standards require that 95% of flights be able to land at the airport, and in anticipation of the sponsorship transfer, the city purchased a property near the airport that would fall within a critical zone for an improved crosswind runway. The adjusted crosswind runway will then allow the airport to achieve the 95% standard, and increase the amount of revenue the airport is able to generate.
Best of all - the purchase price for the land and the construction of the crosswind runway will be funded 90-95% by the FAA!
Spearfish has a vested interest in improving our airport, increasing the opportunity for additional aviation businesses to relocate to our area, and improving the access to our city.
The expansion of the Spearfish airport is good for Spearfish, comes at nearly zero cost, and has long-term positive financial impact on our city for generations to come!
Related Articles:
City of Spearfish Updates - Airport Master Plan Update & Airport Layout Plan
SD DOT - SD State Aviation System Plan 2010-2030 [PDF 32MB]
Apr 2015 [BH Pioneer] - Spearfish to purchase 165 acres for airport at $1.5 million
Oct 2014 [BH Pioneer] - A new flight plan for Black Hills Airport